I love getting Purin at cafés in Japan, but you can also find it in convenience stores and bakeries. Purin (プリン) is a Japanese-style custard pudding, similar to flan or crème caramel. It has a smooth, creamy texture with a lightly sweet egg custard base, topped with a...
Furikake is a Japanese pantry staple that instantly makes rice more oomph. When buying furikake, there are so many flavors to choose from: salmon, wasabi, shiso, takana (mustard greens), shrimp, egg, seaweed blends, even kimchi-inspired versions. Every brand seems to...
I love Japanese curry, and I grew up eating it almost every week. It’s comforting, rich, a little sweet, a little savory, and always hits the spot. And to be totally honest, I mostly cook it straight from the box. Those Japanese curry blocks are popular for a...
Dashi is the backbone of Japanese cooking and one of the main reasons Japanese food tastes so deeply savory yet clean and light. It does a lot of the heavy lifting in Japanese dishes! Rather than relying on long-simmered bones or heavy aromatics, dashi is typically...
Fried rice is one of those dishes that is both comforting and versatile, and this simple version is a perfect example. With just a handful of ingredients - garlic, ginger, green onions, peas and carrots, soy sauce, and a touch of sesame oil - this recipe transforms...
It's a common occurrence to come home to my mom making "Nabe," (鍋) the Japanese word for hot pot. Mille-Feuille Nabe (ミルフィーユ鍋 ) is a Japanese hot pot dish that creatively layers ingredients to resemble a "thousand-leaf" (mille-feuille) structure, similar to the French...
Gyudon (牛丼), or "beef bowl," is one of Japan's most popular types of donburi, a category of dishes that serve toppings over rice in a bowl. In gyudon, thinly sliced beef and onions are simmered in a savory-sweet sauce of soy sauce, dashi, and mirin, creating a...
Agedashi Tofu is one of the most underrated Japanese dishes outside of Japan. At its core, it’s simply tofu that’s fried until delicate and crisp on the outside, then served in a savory dashi-based broth. But its simplicity is deceptive. The contrast between the...
Inarizushi is a simple yet deeply comforting type of sushi made with seasoned sushi rice tucked inside sweet-and-savory pockets of simmered tofu, known as aburaage. Unlike more elaborate sushi, inarizushi is humble and homey, with a balance of sweetness, saltiness,...
Growing up, I snacked on takuan all the time. I remember always reaching for those bright yellow slices straight from the fridge. It has the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and salty flavors. Takuan is a traditional Japanese pickle made from daikon radish, known for...
Tamagoyaki, the beautifully layered Japanese rolled omelet, is a staple in home-cooked meals and bento boxes. My mom used to pack these for me in my bento all the time growing up, and they were always one of my favorite parts of lunch. "Egg" in Japanese is "tamago"...
Toshikoshi soba is a traditional Japanese dish enjoyed at the end of the year, symbolizing a wish for longevity and a smooth transition into the new year.The long, thin buckwheat noodles represent a hope for a long life, while the simple, savory broth reflects the...
Traditional miso soup is an essential dish in Japanese cooking. It's simple, nourishing, and deeply comforting. Made with just a handful of ingredients like dashi, miso paste, and tofu or seaweed, it’s not meant to be flashy. Instead, it brings warmth and balance to...
In the word "Oyakodon," Oya (親), ko (子), and don (丼) literally translate to parent-child-bowl, referring to the use of both chicken (parent) and eggs (child) in the recipe.A little morbid, I know.Oyakodon is a type of donburi, which is a Japanese rice bowl dish...
This One-Pot Ginger Chicken Rice is the kind of dish that is both comforting and effortlessly practical. It’s built around simple pantry staples, but makes a dish that can be served for both luxurious meals, as well as the less fancy ones.Just imagine: avory chicken,...
Kyrié is a half-Japanese food content creator and avid home cook who specializes in Asian cuisine, with a focus on Japanese. She loves developing recipes and sharing approachable yet authentic meals. When she’s not in the kitchen, she’s helping her husband Jeff tend to their garden, or on some artistic venture.
